Do You Jiu Jitsu?

Chase found a new sport this past spring...MMA (That's mixed martial arts for the uninitiated!) MMA is a full-contact combat sport that combines boxing and wrestling moves. Sounds scary, huh? I was pleased to learn that the age restriction for MMA competition is 18 years. However, the academy that Chase attends also uses Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for physical training. Jiu Jitsu focuses more on grappling and ground fighting similar to the wrestling that Chase has done in the past. You can compete in Jiu Jitsu at a younger age, so today we drove to Omaha for the 14th Best of the Best Tournament.One difference between traditional wrestling and Jiu Jitsu is that participants wear a "gi" or wrestling kimono. Opponents can use the gi to throw each other to the ground and create leverage during the match. Marissa has always liked to play dress up!

Chase's first match -- the object is to get your opponent on the ground and into a position of submission.

The other competitor tries to grab the leg of Chase's gi in order to throw him to the mat. A few seconds after this, Chase was elbowed in the nose while being thrown down and the match was paused while the blood was wiped from his face. They ended up just sticking a wad of cotton up his nose and let the match continue. Needless to say, my eyes began to tear up when I saw Chase bleeding. Why do boys think this is fun? Chase ended up losing this match.

But he won this one!!! He's got his opponent down and now will try to pin him into submission.

Just a few counts left before Chase is declared the winner!

I guess I shouldn't insinuate that only males think this kind of competition is fun. Do you see that woman in the pink gi in the background of this photo? She and her son both belong to the same academy as Chase and this is her first competition as well. There were several girls/women competing today and more than a few that I wouldn't want to tangle with!!!